This application is a continuation in major part of my application for lubricant cont-ainer for universal joints etc. filed October '5, 1927, Serial No. 244,188 (Case #7465).

This invention relates to universal joint couplings for use in transmitting power from a driving to a driven shaft, and has particular reference to the typev of "universal joint shown in John B. Flicks U. S. Patents Nos. 1,512,840 and 1,604,816, wherein the driven shaft is provided on its end with a globular head and a transverse pin carrying rollers or balls which engage diametrically opposite slots in a member fixedly attached to the adjacent end of the driving shaft, thus insuring simultaneous rotatorial movement of the shafts while permitting angular displacement of one shaft relative to the other, and slight endwise longitudinal play of one shaft relative to the other; such joints being particularly adapted for use in the transmission gear of automobiles.

The object of the present invention is to prevent loss of lubricant from such universal joints and exclude dust therefrom; and a further object is to keep large particles of dirt or gravel from being thrown into the end of the retainer. The invention consists in novel means whereby without impeding freedom of movement of the joint the lubricant will be retained in the casing and dust excluded from the interior thereof, in a simple efficient, and

' effective manner.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention and I will *describe the invention with reference ,thereto; and summarize in the claims the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a universal joint equipped with my novel lubricant retaining and dust excluding devices.

Fig. 2 is a similar section taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is aview similar to Fig. 1 showing a somewhat simpler construction.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional end vlew on the line 4-4 Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are end and sectional views of the lubricant retaining member detached. Figs. 8 and 9 are side and sectional views of the sectional washer detached.

The type of joint illustrated usually comprises a shaft member 1 having a ball head 1 transfixed by a pin 1" on which are mounted rollers or balls 1 at opposite sides of the ball head. The head 1 and balls 1 are ontered into a casing, preferably composed of two separable members 2 and 2*, as shown; As shown in the aforesaid patent part 2 of the casing is provided with an axial bore slightly larger in diameter than the ball head 1*, and with slots 2 at diametrically opposite sides of the bore in which slots the rollers 1 move. The part 2 of the casing has an opening in its inner end, through which the shaft 1 enters, and its other end is provided with a flange bolted to a flange on the end of the casing member 2 which may be formed on or keyed to a shaft section 10.

An expansion spring 3 is placed in the easing intermediate the inner end of the shaft 10 and the ball head 1. To prevent the spring cutting the ball head 1, and to guide the ball head and protect it from wear, and to prevent loss of lubricant I have provided an improved combined ball head protector, guide and lubricant retaining and dust excluding device as follows:

The protector. dust excluder and lubricant retaining devices comprise an elongated tubular member or retainer 4, preferably formed of drawn metal, having a parti-spherical inner end portion 4 adapted to neatly fit the outer end of the ball head 1, and having a tubular oylindric portion 4 which extends inwardly beyond the ball head and through the opening in the inner end of the casing member 2.- The retainer 4 is provided with diametrically opposite slots 4 near its outer end for the passage of the pin 1", said slots being elongated to permit the necessary oscillatory movements of the pin. The cylindric portion 4 is of such length that at no time, even when the ball head is in its extreme outermost position (adjacent the member 2 of the casing) will the inner end of the retaining member 4 be drawn entirely into the cas- The cylindric portion 4* prevents the protector rocking longitudinally of or in the casing. The retainer is free to move longi- Figs. 10 and 11 are detail sideand frontviews of one of the members of the guard 9.

tudinally of the casing, with the ball head,

but cannot oscillate orturn with the ball head relative to the axis of pin 1", or to the longitudinal axisof the casing. The ball head 1 can move freely in all directions within the end 4 of the retainer-and the latter is capable of longitudinal sliding movements inthe casing and will, under the ac tion of spring 3 follow up the ball head in its longitudinal movements in the casing.

The lubricant retainer 4 is preferably provided with an axial opening in its end 4, next shaft 10, which opening is surrounded by an exterior flange 4 with which flange the inner end of spring 3 is engaged, as in Fig. 1. The pressure of the spring 3 is transmittedthrough the end 4 of the retainer to the ball head 1*; and while the ball head can rock within the protectorand retainer its rocking motions will not be transmitted to the spring 3. The part 4 of the retainer protects the ball head from wear, by .contact with the spring 3, and keeps the spring in exact alignment with the axis of the casin at all times, and prevents chattering of the spring; thus enhancing the durability efiiciency and wearing qualities of the joint.

The casing should be filled with lubricant to lubricate the ball head and rollers; the

. cylindric portion 4 of the retainer preferably has a neat sliding fit in the opening in the inner end of the casing 2, and to prevent lubricant exuding from the'casing around and exterior to the retainera washer W is fitted around the part 4*, at the inner end of the casing, and is secured in place by an annular member 5 which is preferably made of drawn metal and provided with radial ears 5* secured to the end of easing member 2 by screws 5. The annulus 5 may have an outwardly flared flange 5 on its inner end as shown in Fig. 2 to enhanceits appearance, and also provide means,'if desired, for the attachment thereto of a flex: ible sleeve or jacket,;not shown, such as are commonly employed to exclude dust from the interior of the casing, but when a guard such as hereinafter described is used such sleeve is not required.

To prevent lubricant from exuding from the easing into the retainer or dust entering the casing through the openings 4 in the 'retainer through which the pin 1* projects, suitable means may be provided to make a close joint between the retainer and the ball head 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 an annular washer 6 (preferably made in two semi-annular sections jointed together as shown at 6 in Figs. 8 and 9) is placed on the shaftl, and against the ball head 1*, the outer face of this washer being preferably recessed to fit against the ball-head, as. shown. The washer 6 may be held in place Ifdesired an undulate spring washer 8 may be interposed between the ring 7 and washer 6 as indicated in Figs.'1 and 2 to yieldingly hold thewasher 6 in contact with the ball head. i

In order to prevent large particles of dirt or gravel being thrown intotheopen end of the retainer 4 against the washer 6, ashield 9 is attached to the shaft 1 adjacent the open end of the retainer 4. This shield is preferably concavo-convex, its concave side be- .ing opposite and preferably slightly overlapping the open outer end of retainer 4, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. This shield 9 is preferably made of two separable similar halves 9, see Figs.- 10 and 11, provided with opposed 'ears 9 through which fastening bolts 9 are passed, see Fig. 3, to secure the halves together and clamp the guard upon the shaft 1. j

When the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1 the space in the casing between the retainer and the shaft 10 should be packed with lubricant, so that all the moving parts will be properly lubricated during the operation thereof.

When the joint is in use there is more or less relative movement of the ball head and rollers in the casing; and centrifugal force will tend' to retain the lubricant in the casing-but escape of lubricant from the easing into the retainer through the opening 4 in the retainer would be prevented by the washer 6; and escape of lubricant exterior to the sleeve is prevented by the washer W.

The construction also effectually excludes dust and grit from the interior of the casing therebykeepingthe lubricant clean and efiicient and lessens wear of the parts. The guard 9 will prevent large particles of dirt or gravel fromlbeing thrown into the rear open end of the retainer 4, and also will prevent the entrance of fine dirt and dust therein and thus protects the washer 6 from injur and displacement.

I c aim:

1. In a universal joint of the character specified, a casing, a shaft having a ball head engaging the casing; a tubular retainer member loosely connected with the ball head and extending out of the casing, and means cooperating with said member to prevent escape of lubricant from the casing.

2. In a universal joint as set forth .in claim 1; a guard attached to the shaft adjacent the outer end of the retainer, for the purpose specified.

3. In a universal joint of the character specified, a casing, a shaft having a ball head entered in the casing; a tubular retainer.

loosely connected with the ball head and extending out of the casing, and means exterior to the retainer engaging the outer surface thereof to prevent escape of lubricant from the casin 4. In a universal joint as setforth in the casing, and means cooperating with said retainer to prevent escape of lubricant from the casing.

6. In a universal joint for the purpose specified a casing, a shaft in the casing, a universal joint connection having a partiglobular end between said shaft and the casing, a tubular lubricant retainer engaging the end of the joint connection around the shaft and extending through the shaft opening in the casing, and means cooperating with said retainer to prevent the escape of lubri cant from the casing.

7. In a universal joint as set forth in claim 6, a guard attached to the shaft adjacent the outer end of the retainer, for the purpose specified.

8. In a universal joint for the purpose specified; a casing; a shaft entering the easing having a ball head on its end within the casing, a universal joint connection between said head and the casing; a retainer having an inner end loosely engaging the ball head and a tubular portion extending from the head around the shaft and through the shaft opening in the casing, and means cooperating with said member to prevent the escape of lubricant Irom the casing.

9. In a universal joint as set forth in claim 8, the means for preventing the escape of lubricant comprising a Washer fitted against the ball head Within the retainer.

10. In a universal joint as set forth in claim 8, the means for preventing the escape of lubricant comprising means engaging the outer surface of the said tubular member; and a Washer fitted against the outer side of the head within the member, and means for yieldably pressing this washer against the head.

11. In a universal joint of the character specified, a casing, a shaft having a ball head engaging the casings; a tubular retainer member loosely connected with the ball head and extending out of the casing, and means cooperating with said member and exterior to the retainer and engaging the outer surface thereof to prevent escape of lubricant from the casing and means for preventing the escape of lubricant around the ball head and into the retainer.

12. In a universal joint as set forth in claim 11, a guard attached to the shaft adjacent the outer end of the retainer for the purpose specified.

13. In a universal joint for the purpose specified; a casing, a shaft entering the easing having a ball head on its end in the casing, a universal joint connection between said head and the casing; a combined ball protector and lubricant retainer comprising a member having an inner end loosely fitted to the ball and a tubular portion extending out of the casing, a washer surrounding the outer portion of the said member to prevent escape of lubricant from the casing exterior to said member, and means for preventing the escape of lubricant around the ball head and through the cylindrical member.

14:. In a universal joint for the purpose specified, a casing, a shaft entering the easing and having a ball head on its end in the casing, a universal joint connection between said head and the casing; a combined ball protector and grease retainer having an inner end loosely fitted to the ball and a tubu lar portion extendingout of the casing, a washer surrounding the tubular portion of said retainer to prevent escape of lubricant exterior to said retainer, an annulus attached to the casing and confining said Washer in position: and means for preventing the escape of lubricant around the ball head and through the member.

15. In a universal joint for the purpose specified, a casing, a shaft entering the casing and having a ball head on its end in the casing, a universal joint connection between said head and the casing; a combined ball protector and lubricant retainerhaving an inner end loosely fitted to the ball and a tubular portion extending around the shaft and through the shaft-opening in the casing, a washer surrounding the tubular portion of the said retainer to prevent escape of lubricant from the casing exterior to said retainer, an annulus attached to the casing and confining said Washer in position, a washer fitted against the inner side of the ball head and Within the said retainer, and means for yieldably pressing this Washer against the head.